Progressive change-speed gear



N. GHERASSIMOFF PROGRESSIVE CHANGE SPEED GEAR Filed Sept. 5. 1923 I "2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E Ghera ,ssimoi 3 721W v M'Jzzg lit) Patented Oct. 27, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,559,073 PATENT OFFIQE;

nicoLAs GHERAssiMoFF, on in vssmet, runes.

Tc ai /c F izz/zit m cam-m4 Be it known that I, Nio'otn's GHE'RASSF 'Zen of the Russian Fedei'ative residing Boulevard dAiigl'ere, Le Vesinet, semen-one, France, have invented hew and usefiil Improvements in a Progressive Change-Speed Gear, hic'h n'e renewing is the specification.

'i'hls invention relates to a progressive changes ieed ear; this change speed 'gear is of the type in which the connection bem the dri 1;-

1X and driven shafts is ensured by the friction of rollers on a circular piate, the rollers rotating about axes at right angles to the a; i of the plate and concurring With the saine; In these mechanisms, the progressive variation of the speed is obtained by cad-sing the' rollers to slide on the shafts which drive them; for throwing out of gear and in gear, it is new ar'y t'o inote the plate iOiifiIdS or from the rolleis or to provide a c tching device for t i'e driving ineinhcr, iii illy, fordetermining the reversal, it is necessary to alter the direction of actuation of the driving inOil'lbOl'.

The essential object of the invention is to permit by the operation of a single ineinher caoahlo of receiving a single movement only,

. obtaining":

h ihc progressive speed, I

2.--lhe direct engagement of the driving and driven shafts,

3. ihe throwing out of gear driven shaft,

i;Tll8 alteration of the direction of actiori of the driven member. e throwing out of gear moving apart the rolcrs and obtained by asepaiate control.

w ll be noted that: he progressive v:

variation of the of the by relatively the plate is "ation of the speed nee tates the rcalizatmn of at least one movement of translation: this movement 18 inonns'sivn CHANGE-smith GEAR.

Serial No. 661,081.

The mechanism forming the subjecfi'niatter of the invention realizes these conditions, indicated, by the operation of a single ineniher; constituted by a lever; receiving a single movement, which is a movement of rotation of this lever about a fixed axis.

This mechanism is characterized, to that effect, in that the rotation of the control lever is transmitted to an axis on which are rigidly mounted a pinion and a grooved earn, pinion gearing with racks which determine translation of the rollers, that is to say the change of speed; and the grooved cam controlling the rotation about an axis at right angles to the first one, of a lever which controls the translation of a sliding member so as to prodtice the throwing out of gear and the reversal.

On the other hand, itinust be considered that, when the direct drive is effected hetiveen the driving shaft and the driven shaft, the change speed gear iniist he put out of action; In this respect, another feature of the change speed gear forming the snhjectanatter of the invention resides in the fact that the fiction siirface of the plate niovab'l'e in translation on the driten shaft subjected to the action of springs, forms a crown which is constantly pressed a 'ainst the driving rollers, the springs havingbe sides for cll'e'ct, when the rollers are brought beyond the inner edge of the friction crown and thus pinout of action, to projectthe said p-late in the direction of the engine, until a female cone carried by the same comes in contact with a corresponding male cone, rigidly mounted on the driving shaft, so as to eifect the direct drive.

Finally, the separate control for throwing out of gear by moving apart the plate and rollers is characterized in that the action exerted on the control member for the separate unclutching is antagonistic to that of the springs which hold the plate in contact with the rollers, so that these springs being put out of action, a spring acting in reverse direction to the first ones, but much less powerful, can move the plate away from the rollers until the contact is suppressed.

In the ac'ornpanying drawings illustrating, but by Way 'of example only, a method of construction of the mechanism in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. l is a front elevation With partial section according to the broken line 11 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is a partial side view, partly in section, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. a is a view similar to that of Fig. 3, certain of the parts being in a di'iferent position.

Fig. is a partial plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 illustrates separately a driving cani shown in Figs. 1 and 9.

F 7 illustrates the same cain, developed.

4 designates the driving shaft mounted, at one of its ends in a bearing (4 arranged in a casing or frame I), whilst its other end is screwed in a ring a" within which is supported the driven shaft 0, through the mediinn of a hearing (4*.

At its middle part, the shaft a is fluted at (4 and receives a sliding member such as a claw sliding member (Z, the arrangement being such that this clutch is always driven by the shaft, whilst being capable of sliding on the latter. This sliding member (Z is plOVlelCCl with two series of claws (Z (5, formed on its two faces. (in each side of its middle fluted portion o the driving shaft (1, is smooth and carries two friction cones or bevel pinions c, 7'', connected by a resilient coupling with the sleeves 6 f loose on the said shaft and having claws e, j" situated opposite the claws (Z (Z respectively of the sliding ineniber (Z, so that by sliding on the said shaft, this sliding D'lOllllJGl can be brough in engage ient either with the cone 1: through the medium of the claws (Z 6, or with the cone 7" through the medium of the claws (Z 7.

The friction cones or bevel pinions e, f, are constantly in engagement with friction cones or pinions g, /1., keyed on secondary shafts y, 1i, supported at each end in bearings r A 9", 7: the bearings y, its being arranged in a suitable upright b of the casing. fit their outer end, the secondary shafts ii. are provided with thrust seps it, against which bears another thrust st p X2". The steps 9 it, are secured on lovers 9, A, which, pivoted at 71 on ugs f. a of the casing 7), are connected together by two rods 1 712" between which is interposed a spring g acting by traction. the arrangement being such, as will be seen hereafter. that. under the stress er ert ed by the said spring, the seeoiulary shai'ts tend to be driven bael; inwardly and to ensure a good, contact of their friction cones or pinions g, /i, will the friction cones or pinions c,

The secondary shafts r7 iz are fluted and each carry a friction roller 2', i capable of comingin con .ct with a friction plate 7' having, on the one hand, a plane portion j the lower face of which cooperates with the section according to rollers 2', 2' and, on the other hand, a conical portion j serving for the direct drive, as will be seen hereafter, this friction plate j bein mounted on the driven shaft 0, with which it is rendered rigid by flutes.

'ihe friction rollers i, 2' are driven by forks i, i so mounted as to be capable of g on rods i respectively, Figs. 1, 2 being held at a suitable supports i, i forming a To the forks i i are both gearing with a 0, these rods distance apart by part of the casing 0. connected racks A, .h wheel L keyed on an axis A2 Fig. 2, the other end of each rack being connected to a sleeve t" M respectively, sliding also on the shafts 2", i in order to ensure a good rectilinear guiding of the said racks.

On this axis is, moreover, keyed a pinion /a* gearing with a segment 76 (Fig. 1) secured on a shaft is arranged in uprights M. An operating lever t secured on the shaift t allows the operation, the description of which is given below. On the shaft Z1 is also secured a sleeve in which, provided with a flange 70 rests on a cross bar 6 connecting two standards 5 b forming a portion of the casing or frame Z).

()n the said shaft is, moreover, secured a cylindrical cam Z, Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7, the groove of which is formed of horizontal parts Z Z Z Fig. 7, and of oblique parts 5, Z, Z, these latter being connected to the lirst ones. In this cam enters the end of the lever m illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, this lever being mounted in an arm m secured on an axis of, which carries a fork or, the ends of which take hold on each side of the claw sliding pinion and control it.

The various positions occupied by the lever m are indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7, viz, l', ll, llll .lV and V.

* t the upper end of the driving shaft a ii) is keyed a direct drive cone a (Fig.

2) adapted to come in engagement with the nor face of the conical )ort1on of the )late A spring a constantly tends to move this cone away froin the conical portion A thrust hearing can be interposed between the cone 1?. and the plate 6. lLS will be hereafter, this cone oi. preserves at all t. the position indicated in Fig. 3.

rietien plate is supported by bearj. i and is provided, at its outer end, with a bearing on which bears an abutl j which is centered on the sha e and can slide on the latter. in a pair of standards 7. Z), Figs. 2 and T5, forming a portion of the casing 7), are mounted axes o, 0 each carrying a bent lever 0 0"" each provided with two bearing steps 0*, arranged at a dirlerent distance from their a=:es 0, 0 and adapted to bear on the The bent levers abutment iange j 3. 0 0 are ointed to rods 0, 0 the upper end driven shaft 0, to reascend of which is connected by a returning spring 0 23 to a fixed point to, 0 of the casing, whilst their lower end is connected to a cross bar 0 capable of being actuated by a pedal 10 the arrangement being such t at if the latter is depressed, the rods 0, 0 cease to be subjected to the traction exerted by the springs 0 0 and do not causethe bent levers a 0 to rock-, so that the bearing steps 0", 0', b, 0 do not bear on the abutment flange j and the plate 9' is then free, by sliding on the under the thrust of the spring n this having for effect to disengage theplan'e portion j of this plate from the friction rollersi, i

The operation is as follows. It will be supposed that the parts are in the position of rest indicated in Fig. 3 in which the end the lever m is in the position 11'", (Fig. 7) which is that of the dead center, that is to say the sliding member d is disengaged from each of the friction cones e, f. The driving shaft 01 transmits therefore its movement to th'e said sliding member as well as to the direct drive cone n, butwithout actuatingany of the other movable parts of the mechanism. As the pedal o isnot depressed, the springs 0 0 exert their traction on the rods 0, 0 and, through the medium of the bent levers 0 '0 the steps 0*, 0, 0, lirmly bear on the abutment flange j, this having for effect, notwithstanding the spring 02? to push the friction plate downwardly and to bring the plane portion of the latter in contact with the friction rollers i, i The shaft a being in movement, the mechanism is then ready to act.

The operationiS effected by means of the single lever Fig. 1, which is moved by hand, so that, through the medium of the scgn'i'ent 7c", pinion 7c, toothed wheel k and racks Z3. 10 it will be possible to determine a rectilinear displa'cement of the forks i 71", and to a'ctuatethe friction rollers 2', 71 along their respective shafts g g. It is indispensable to previously depress the pedal 0 'so asto momentarily move the plane portion 9' away from t e rollers 71, i through the medium ofthe parts 0 ,0 0 a andof, the spring 41} being then free to act and to allow the plate j to move again iipii'ardly. While the said pedal is depressed, it mu therefore be possible when the lever 76 is manipulated, to freely move the rollers 11 without encountering any unnecessary resistance.

If now, the lever 70 is actuated, itis caiised to execute a movement having a 'suflieieiit amplitude so that theend of the lever passesfroin the p'ositionIF which is that of the dead centre, to the position 111* which is that of the forward riinning at the simuestspeed. The distance comprised between the point III and [the point IV represents the 'aiiiplitiide of the movement which can be imparted, for forward running, to the rollers z, i relatively to the plane portion j of the plate It will be easily understood that when the said rollers occupy the position shown in Fig; 3, the driving shaft a, through the medium of the members d, e, g, h and of the rollers 2', i transmits to the plate j a movement at the highest speed, with the exclusion of the direct drive. corresponds to the position IV of the end of the lever m, whilst, on the contrary, when the friction rollers i, i occupy a position near to the extreme position, that is to say that shown at A in Fig; 3;, the end of the lever m is at the position 111' and the speed transmitted isthe minimum speed. The series of variable speeds is therefore comprised between, the positions 111" and IV of the end of the lever m controlled by the' hand of the driver by means of the single lever is. a

If, by continuing to actuate his lever 71;", the driver further moves the friction rollers 2', i towards the driving shaft a. by always unclutching, if need be, at each operation, the said rollers abandon the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 3 andtake their extreme position indicated in Fig; 4 in which they enter in a corresponding recess of the plates g, h. y

, From this moment, the platej being no longer in contact with the said rollers, is free to descend, under the action of the thrust exerted by the bent leverso 0 and the bearing steps 0*, 0, 0 0 by means of the springs 0 0 this having for result to bring the conical portion 7' of the plate 7' contact with the direct drive cone n. The transmission of the movement is then effected with suppleness in direct drive and the end of thelever m which controls the cam Z occupies the position V, Fig; 7.

If it is desired to effect a change of speed, unclutching is first effected by means of the pedal 0, this allowing the plate to move again upward under the thrust of the spring M, then the lever 70 is again operated, but in reverse direction, so that the end of the lever m, abandoning the position V Fig. 7, movesdown the incline l and takes the position IV which is that corresponding to the position occupied by the rollers z, i position indicated in full lines in Fig. 3.

The lever 70 continues to be operated until the end of the lever m takes the position 111" in which the transmission of the movement imparted by the friction rollers z, 2'? to the plate j is effected at the smallest speed (that is to say the position A) after which thesaid operation is still continued, this having for effect to cause the end ofth'e lever m to re-ascend the incline Z and to bring it in the position II which is that of the dead centre, that is to say that in which This position of the rollers i, 2

the sliding member abandons the position it was occupying, its claws (Z in engagement with the claws c of the cone The dis ngagemcnt being thus iected, no mo inent is a 1y longer imparted to tl second ary shafts 70.

When it is then desired to run bac-liward, the lever 73 is again actrzted, that, as cending the incline Z the end of the lever in comes to the position which is that of reverse, position in ch the slidii member (Z is brought, through its claw (P, in engagement with the claws of the cone f,

that the driving shaf nits a move- 4 in the reverse direction to the secondary shafts g if.

Attention must he called to the fact that the bent 0 0 ca 4 the hear ng steps a". 0* are at anged in such. a

manner tl 1e length of the arms of these caused to vary for the folln fe t. it s on t ie a exerted when it t ,l. rect drive whicl enter whilst, on the contra y, the pressure must he the great est when it is the friction rollers 'i, i which cooperate with the plate ll hat I claim v invention and desire to secure by Lette s atent is:

l. in a progro ave change speed gear, a driving :hat, two auxiliary shafts arranged. in alignment with each other, on either side of the driving shaft and at right angles to the same, a bevel wheel rigidly secured on each arnciliary shaf two bevel wheels loosely mounted or the driving shaft and engaging with the preceding bevel wheels, means for rendering rigid with the driving sha t one or the other of the loose bevel wheels, two friction rollers, means for iiifll lltlligfj each of the said rollers respectively on each of the d auxiliary shafts so that these rollers are driven in rotation by the said. auxiliary shafts, but may be displaced in translation on the latter, a driven shaft arranged in alignn'ient with the driving shaft,v a friction plate mounted on the driven shaft for driving it in rotation and adapted for 'l'rictionally engaging with the twi'r friction rollers, a control lever adapted to rotate on a lixed axis, a toothed wheel, means for transmitting the rotation of the lever to the said toothed wheel, two rac 's parallel to each other and to the auxiliary shafts, gearing with the said toothed wheel at diametrically opposed points, means for transn'iiVing to the rol ers the translation of the racks.

2. In a progressive change speed gear, a driving shaft, two auxiliary shafts arranged in alignment with each other, on either side of the driving shaft, and at right angles to the same, a bevel Wheel rigidly secured on an mm Al driving shaft, but capable of being oplacer in translation on the latter and of mg with one or the other of the said bevel wheels, a lever for controlling the translation of the sliding clutching member, two friction rollers, means for mount g each of the said rollers r spectiveiy on each of the said auxiliary shafts, so that tiiese rollers are driven in rotation by the l t r, but may be displaced in translation on. the same, a driven shaft arranged in alignment with the driving shaft, a friction plate m unted on the driven shaft for driving it in rotation and adapted for frictionally engaging with the two friction rollers, a control lever adapted to rotate on a fixed axis, a toothed wheel, means for transmittin the rotation of the lever to the said toothed wheel, two racks parallel to each other and to the auxiliary shafts, gearing with the said toothed wheels at dian'ietricaliy opposed points, means for trans niitting to the rollers the translation of the racks.

a progressive change speed gear, a shaft, two auzi'iliary shafts arranged igmnen' with each other on either side 1 he driv' shaft and at right angles to the same, a be el wheel rigidly secured on each. auxiliary shaft, two bevel wheels loosely mounted on the driving shaft and engaging with the preceding bevel wheels, a sliding clutching membe driven in rotation by the driving shaft, but capable of being displaced in translation on the latter and of engaging with one or the other of the said loose bevel wheels, a lever for comirolling the translation of the sliding clutching member, two fric lion rollers, neans for mounting each of the said rollers respectively on each of the said auxiliary shafts, so that these rollers are driven in rotation by the latter but may be displaced in translation on the same, a driven shaft arranged in alignment with the driving shaft, a friction plate mounted en tl driven shaft for driving it in rotation and adapted for frictionally engaging With the two fnction rollers, a control lever adapted to rotate on a fixed axis, a toothed wheel, means for transmitting the rotation of the lever to the said toothed wheel, two racks parallel to each other and to the auxilia ry shafts, gearing with the said toothed wheels at diametrically opposed points, means for transmitting to the rollers the translation of the racks, a grooved cam rotating with the said toothed Wheel, a roller carried by the control lever of the sliding clutching member and engaging with the groove of the said cam.

4;. In a progressive change speed gear, a

driving shaft, two auxiliary shafts arranged in alignment with each other on either side of the driving shaft and at right angles to the same, a bevel wheel rigidly secured on each auxiliary shaft, two bevel wheels loosely mounted on the driving shaft, and en aging with the preceding bevel wheels, a sliding clutching member driven in rotation by the driving shaft, but capable of being displaced in translation on the latter and of engaging with one or the other of the said loose bevel wheels, a lever for controlling the translation of the sliding clutching member, two friction rollers, means for mounting each of the said rollers respectively on each of the said auxiliary shafts, so that these rollers are driven in rotation by the latter but may be displaced in translation on the same, a driven shaft arranged in alignment with the driving shaft, a friction plate mounted on the driven shaft for driving it in rotation and adapted for frictionally engaging with the two friction rollers, a control lever adapted to rotate on a fixed axis, a toothed wheel, means for transmitting the rotation of the lever to the said toothed wheel, two racks parallel to each other and to the auxiliary shafts, gearing with the said toothed wheels at diametrically opposed points, means for transmitting to the rollers the translation of the racks, a grooved cam rotating with the said toothed wheels, a roller carried by the control lever of the sliding clutching member and engaging with the groove of the said cam, a gear case, enclosing the mechanism, jointed levers on this gear case springs exerting a traction on these levers for causing them to bear on the friction plate, an operating pedal, a link work connecting this pedal to the said levers for acting on them in antagonism with the springs.

5. In a progressive change speed gear, a driving shaft, two auxiliary shafts arranged in alignment with each other on either side of the driving shaft and at right angles to the same, a bevel wheel ri idly secured on each auxiliary shaft, two bevel wheels loosely mounted on the driving shaft and engagin with the preceding bevel wheels, a sliding clutching member driven in rotation by the driving shaft, but capable of being displaced in translation on the latter and of engaging with one or the other of the said loose bevel wheels, a lever for controlling the translation of the sliding clutching member, two friction rollers, means for mounting each of the said rollers respectively on each of the said auxiliary shafts, so that these rollers are driven in rotation by the latter but may be displaced in translation on the same, a driven shaft arranged in alignment with the driving shaft, a friction plate mounted on the driven shaft for driving it in rotation and adapted for frictionally engaging with the two friction rollers, a control lever adapted to rotate on a fixed axis, a toothed wheel, means for transmitting the rotation of the lever to the said toothed wheel, two racks parallel to eaclrother and to the auxiliary'shafts, gearing with tie said toothed wheel at diametrically opposed points, means for transmitting to the rollers the translation of the racks, a grooved cam rotating with the said toothed wheels, a roller carried by the control lever of the sliding clutching member and engaging with the groove of the said cam, a gear case enclosing the mechanism, jointed levers on this gear case, springs exerting a traction on these levers for causing them to bear on the friction plate, an operating pedal, a link work connecting this pedal to the said levers for acting on them in antagonism with the springs, a female cone carried by the friction plate, a male cone carried by the driving shaft, a spring of small power acting between the two cones for spacing them apart.

6. In a progressive change speed gear, a driving shaft, two auxiliary shafts arranged in alignment with each other on either side of the driving shaft, and at right angles to the same, a bevel wheel rigidly secured on each auxiliary shaft, two bevel wheels loosely mounted on the driving shaft and engaging with the preceding bevel wheels, a sliding clutching member driven in rotation by the driving shaft, but capable of being displaced in translation on the latter and of engaging with one or the other of the said loose bevel wheels, a lever for controlling the translation of the sliding clutching member, two friction rollers, means for mounting each of the said rollers respectively on each of the said auxiliary shafts, so that these rollers are driven in rotation by the latter but may be displaced in translation on the same, a driven shaft arranged in alignment with the driving shaft, a friction plate mounted on the driven shaft for driving it in rotation and adapted for frictionally engaging with the two friction rollers, a control la'er adapted to rotate on a fixed axis, a toothed wheel, means for transmitting the rotation of the lever to the said toothed wheel, two racks parallel to each other and to the auxiliary shafts, gearing with the said toothed wheel at diametrically opposed points, means for transmitting to the rollers the translation of the racks, a grooved cam rotating with the said toothed wheels, a roller carried by the control lever of the sliding clutching member and engaging with the groove of the said cam, a gear case enclosing the mechanism, jointed levers on this gear case, springs exerting a traction on these levers for causing them to bear on the friction plate, an operating pedal, a link Work connecting this pedal to the said levers for acting on them in antagonism with the springs, a female cone carried by the friction plate, a male cone carried by the driving shaft a spring of small power acting between the two cones for spacing them apart, two other jointed levers on the gear case and bearing against the ends of the auxiliary shafts, a spring acting between these levers for drawing them towards each other. 10

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

NICOLAS GHERASSIMOFF. 

